Community Service: A Graduation Requirement

Every individual possesses some quality which can help others. Community Service-time and skills given to an individual or organization in need-heightens one's understanding for different groups in society, and it lends a new perspective on one's own life. In recent years, as the world has become a more complicated and often harsh environment, the value of positive influence in one's community has become more and more apparent.

In an effort to put into practice Solebury's philosophy of commitment to the “active concern for the greater humanity,” Community Service has become an integral part of the Solebury experience. The administration and faculty have for years seen disciplines such as Science, English, Mathematics, Foreign Language, Social Studies, the Arts, and Athletics as such high priorities that they are required experiences of each Solebury graduate. Solebury School has made Community Service a priority for its students and a requirement for graduation.

Students from grades nine through twelve will be expected to complete ten hours per year of approved community service. Up to half of these hours may be completed on campus. Middle school students will be required to complete five hours per year. Those entering Solebury after 7th grade will not be required to make up the lost hours from previous years; the requirement begins with the year of the student's enrollment. Any number of hours above the required ten hours per year will count toward the next year's requirement. Therefore, a student might conceivably satisfy his or her entire requirement in one summer.

WHAT IS COMMUNITY SERVICE?

Community service opportunities are as diverse as our student body. The Community Service Advisors will help students and advisors to find opportunities. Here are but a few examples of appropriate service:

• People who love animals can help at the Humane Society or another such organization.
• Athletes can work as referees or umpires for local youth groups, or help with the Special Olympics.
• People who enjoy working with children can get involved at homeless shelters or elementary schools to spend time with the children. They can work for Special Olympics or Easter seals to help children with handicaps.
• Those with musical or artistic talents can perhaps share them at retirement centers, day care centers, or not-for-profit arts centers.
• Those concerned with issues of hunger could work at a soup kitchen or in a food pantry.
• Those who share a concern for the environment can work at various parks in the area, form a group to adopt a highway, or help ecological organizations such as the Audubon Society or Honey Hollow Environmental Education Center.
• Students whose lives have been touched by a disease like cancer or AIDS can volunteer at fundraising events or do office tasks for groups like the American Cancer Society or FACT Bucks County.
• Those already involved in a church, synagogue, or other religious society can get involved with community service through that organization.
• Students can work for the American Red Cross, local fire and emergency stations, or other emergency relief organizations.
• On campus, students can volunteer to help the school as: Peer Tutors; Sherpas (guides for visitors to campus); helpers at the school auction in the spring.